1Now faith is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see. 2For by this, the people of old were attested.

3By faith, we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible. 4By faith, Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested as righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and though he died he still speaks through it. 5By faith, Hanoch was taken away, so that he would not see death, "and he was not found, because God took him away." For before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God. 6Now without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. 7By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared a box-shaped vessel for the salvation of his household, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

8By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith, he sojourned in a land of promise, as a foreigner, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he looked for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11By faith, even barren Sarah herself received power to conceive when she was past age, and gave birth, since she considered him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth. 14For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son; 18even he to whom it was said, "In Isaac will your descendants be called;" 19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead. 20By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. 21By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed down over the top of his staff. 22By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 24By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25choosing rather to share ill treatment with God's people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time; 26considering the abuse suffered for the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them. 29By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.

30By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days. 31By faith, Rahab the prostitute, did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.

32And what more should I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets; 33who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. And others were tortured, not accepting the payment for release, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment. 37They were stoned, they were sawed apart, they were put to the test, they were killed with the sword. They went around in sheepskins and in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated 38(of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.

39These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, did not receive the promise, 40God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.